Cuba

11062016

The largest island in the Caribbean. (Near the Bahamas, Haiti and Jamaica)

Population: 11, 350,000

Capital: Havana (Pun: I’m hav’n’ a good time in Cuba)

People: Hispanic 98%, Asian 1%, Other 1%

Economy: “Sugar production, along with the rest of the economy, collapsed with the Soviet meltdown as aid and subsidies dried up. The US trade embargo, devastating hurricanes, repressive centralized socialist planning, corruption and poor productivity hamper progress. Lack of many essentials (including food) still affects the country, yet there is a high standard in literacy, education and health. Tourism is becoming more and more economically important.” (Operation World, p. 291).

Politics: “Independent from Spain in 1898. Fidel Castro’s revolution (he was born in 1926) brought Communism to power in 1959, replacing a corrupt and venal regime” (O.W.)

For recovery of the Evangelical churches, devastated by waves of emigration to USA

For the 500,00 plus people imprisoned for ideological reason under Communism

For renewed leadership in the churches, able to cope with change and growth

For the less reached people groups especially those in the Santeria cult, linked with similar evil spiritual powers to Haitian voodooism.

For the foreign missionaries, largely restricted access.

For the 1 million Cuban refugees (legal and illegal) living in the USA, and their fruitful influence on their home country.

For the Christian help ministries with Bible distribution, Christian literature, radio and music.

Thank you Lord, our God, for the growth of the Church in Cuba in recent years. Thank you for the refinement of the church at a local level, and the Spirit’s persistent ministry to the church. May the numerical growth continue, and may locals have wise leadership and courage to be a rich, powerful blessing to their nation, in the name of Jesus. Amen.